AENC Awards Program

“To recognize and reward AENC members who exemplify excellence and enduring service to AENC.”

AENC invites all members to consider submitting nominations for deserving members who meet the awards criteria.

Awards offered by AENC

James J. Lowry Award (Outstanding CEO)

• The nominee must have been a member of AENC for at least the past two consecutive years.

Patsy B. Smith Award (Outstanding Affiliate Member)

Patsy B. Smith, for whom this award is named, was the first Affiliate member to serve on the AENC Board of Directors. She was a member for several years, during which time she maintained an active interest in the organization and its members. In memory of her outstanding contributions, AENC presents this award as the highest honor bestowed upon an individual in the Allied or Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) membership category. While recognizing outstanding professionalism and exemplary service to the association community, the award also recognizes a member’s contribution to his or her employing organization and to other professional organizations.

• At the time of nomination, the candidate must have been an Affiliate member for at least the past two consecutive years.

Jovita S. Mask Award (Outstanding Association Member who is not the CEO)

This award represents the highest honor AENC can bestow upon a key association staff member, excluding the CEO. This award reflects extraordinary achievements and the promise of future accomplishments within the association management profession. AENC awards this honor in recognition of a member’s exceptional contributions to his or her employing association. It also honors distinguished service to AENC and other professional organizations, as well as continuing professional development and participation in community and civic affairs. This award was named for Jovita Mask, whose entire career was in association management. Starting as a receptionist at an association, she later became the Executive Director.  Later she merged that association with another state organization and served as Vice President of Administration before coming to AENC in 2009, retiring in 2018.

• The candidate must also have been a member of AENC for at least the past two consecutive years.

Bob Slocum Award (Outstanding Government Affairs and Advocacy)

Bob Slocum, for whom this award is named, was a dedicated association professional who in his 24 years at the helm of the NC Forestry Association truly embodied professionalism in his conduct and dedication to his members’ interest in regard to government affairs and advocacy at both the state and federal level. To be effective, association professionals endeavoring to advance the political agenda of their members must not only be keen practitioners in the area of legislative and governmental process, but must work to establish and maintain a personal and professional reputation with both association members and elected officials for being honest, reliable and consistent. In presenting this award AENC seeks to recognize an individual who has a sustained tenure of consistently outstanding professional conduct in this important functional area of association operations, as well as provide younger association government affairs and advocacy professionals a role model to emulate.

• The candidate for this award must have at least ten (10) years employment in a position for which the individual has primary or singular responsibility for government affairs and/or advocacy efforts on behalf of an association. The nominee must have been a member of AENC for at least the past two consecutive years.

AENC Young Professionals – FUEL Award (Outstanding AENC Young Professionals – FUEL participant)

Honors an AENC member under the age of 40 that participates in FUEL events/meetings. The goal of this Award is to recognize an AENC member for outstanding AENC/Association involvement or personal community involvement that also participates in FUEL events/meetings.

• The candidate must also have been a member of AENC for at least the past two consecutive years.

*NEW* President’s Award (Outstanding AENC member)

This award is given by the current AENC President at the annual meeting to a current AENC member, President’s choice completely. The winner will not be notified so it will be a surprise. (Staff will navigate on telling coworkers of recipient so they know to attend but still keep it a secret.)

Eligibility

• Current AENC Board Members are ineligible for scholarships or awards.
• Scholarship and Awards committee members are ineligible for scholarships and awards.
• Applicants may receive a maximum of one award in the year under consideration.

Submission of Nominations 

Please submit your nomination/s to AENC, using the following guidelines: 
(Note: Electronic submission is preferred.)

• Please type the award name in the subject line of your email or letter.
• In the body of your email or letter, please indicate the name of the person you are nominating and the organization where the individual is employed.
• Briefly state your reasons for nominating the individual for the award.  (1-2 paragraphs)
• Send your nominations to [email protected]  or in writing to Attn: Madi McDougald, AENC, 514 Daniels St. PMB #352, Raleigh, NC 27605.

Award nominations are due in May.

Timeline

March - The awards nomination process begins. AENC invites all members to consider submitting nominations for deserving members who meet the awards criteria.

May – Deadline for nominations. Deadline for nominations.  Nominees who meet the requirements are contacted by staff and asked to respond with the required supporting documentation.

June – The committee reviews to determine award recipients by grading each nomination and submitting to the AENC Board of Directors a list of recommended recipients. The Board of Directors reviews and approves the award recipients. AENC staff notifies and coordinates with the award recipients to obtain photos and bios, and to ensure recipients will be present at the AENC annual meeting in July.

July  – The awards are presented at the AENC Annual Meeting. 

Past Award Winners

James J. Lowry Award (Outstanding CEO)

        2022 - Linda Owens, CAE, IMI Association Executives
        2021 - James Smith Jr., PE, American Council of Engineering Companies of NC
        2020 - Jim Thompson Jr., CAE, IOM, Capitol Hill Management Services
        2019 - Dr. Michael Alec Parker, CAE, NC Dental Society
        2018 - David Simpson, CAE, Carolinas AGC, Inc.
        2017 - Durward "Butch" Gunnells, III, NC Beverage Association
        2016 - William (Bill) Arent (Posthumous), previously Carolinas Ready Mixed Concrete Association
        2015 - No award given
        2014 - No award given
        2013 - Gregory K. Griggs, MPA, CAE, NC Academy of Family Physicians
        2012 - Tina C. Gordon, CAE, NC Nurses Association
        2011 - Wendy W. Scott, CAE, Wendy Scott & Associates, Inc.
        2010 - F. Carlyle Teague, N.C. Specialty Foods Association
        2009 - Beth Bowen, N.C. Association of Medical Equipment Services
        2008 - Bob Glaser, CAE, NC Automobile Dealers Association
        2007 - James Joseph Lowry, Jr., CPO, N.C. Utility Contractors Association
        2006 - William D. Stricker, Carolinas AGC, Inc.
        2005 - Charles F. McDonald, Jr., CAE, Safety and Health Council of N.C.
        2004 - Teresa L. Saylor, CAE, N.C. Press Association
        2003 - Larry W. Adams, Southern Building Materials Association
        2002 - Chris A. Valauri, N.C. Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association
        2001 - James T. Ahler, CAE, N.C. Association of CPAs
        2000 - Sue L. Makey, CAE, N.C. Academy of Family Physicians
        1999 - Randall D. Lisk, Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas & Tennessee
        1998 - Ken Morgan, CAE, N.C. Association of Life Underwriters
        1997 - Timothy D. Kent, CAE, AIA North Carolina
        1996 - Hazel B. Moore, N.C. Nurses Association
        1993 - Craig Souza, N.C. Health Care Facilities Association
        1992 - Lewis Huff, Independent Garage Owners of N.C.
        1991 - Elbert Peters, N.C. Trucking Association
        1990 - Carl F. Sapp, N.C. Telephone Association
        1989 - Eleanor F. Upton, Upton Associates
        1988 - Don Ward, N.C. Petroleum Marketers Association
        1987 - Michael Olson, CAE, Olson Management Group, Inc. 

Patsy B. Smith Award (Outstanding Affiliate Member)

        2022 - Molly Johnson, CMP-Fellow, QAS, Wilmington & Beaches CVB
        2021 - Rachel Whitten, CMP, Visit Greenville NC
        2020 - Connie Thames, TowneBank
        2019 - Melissa Bucci, Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront
        2018 - Beverly Stewart, DCMP, CVB Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area
        2017 - Karen Wall, Visit Winston-Salem
        2016 - Teri Saylor, CAE, Open Water Communications
        2015 - No award given
        2014 - Sara Green, Pinehurst Resort
        2013 - Denise D. Ryan, MBA, CSP, FireStar
        2012 - John W, Sneed, II, CHSP, Wilmington and Beaches CVB
        2011 - Andrew D. Schmidt, CHME, Greenville CVB
        2010 - Michelle Streath, Hilton Wilmington Riverside & Riverview Suites
        2009 - Ed Currie, Piedmont Triad Productions
        2008 - Malinda Pettaway, CASE, Greater Raleigh CVB
        2007 - Candy Cline, Visit Winston-Salem
        2006 - Kathy B. Flowe, CMP, Alabama Theatre
        2005 - Donna F. Rabon, Hilton Wilmington Riverside & Riverview Suites
        2004 - Laurie Okun, Sheraton Imperial Hotel
        2003 - Kim T. Hufham, Cape Fear Coast CVB
        2002 - Nancy S. Barney, The Sheraton Raleigh Hotel
        2001 - Joseph E. Blake, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau
        2000 - Jan S. Hogan, MC Benton Convention Center
        1999 - Ron Stephens, CHME, High Point CVB
        1998 - John J. Mead, CAE, APR, Mead Management Support
        1997 - Cheryl R. Hutto, Hilton North Raleigh
        1996 - Burchill T. Sweeney, Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort
        1996 - John Phillips, See North Carolina First
        1994 - Angela Beattie, The Grove Park Inn
        1993 - Sandra Hale, Kiawah Island Golf & Tennis Resorts
        1992 - Petra Alberici, Sheraton Imperial Hotel
        1991 - Janet Harrington, Grandover Resort and Conference Center
        1990 - Sarah Hamm Wade, CHA, CHME, Sunbelt Hospitality, Inc.
        1989 - Charlotte M. Young, High Point CVB
        1988 - Judy Green, CHME, The Siena Hotel
        1987 - Patsy B. Smith, Grove Park Inn & Country Club

Jovita S. Mask Award (Outstanding Association Member who is not the CEO)

        2022 - Meredith Houston, PHR, IOM, CAE, American Council of Engineering Companies of NC
        2021 - Sarah Royster, CAE, NC Nurses Association
        2020 - Kathryn Atkinson, CMP, NC Academy of Family Physicians
        2019 - Rachael Lord, CAE, NC Chiropractic Association
        2018 - Nancy Lowe, CMP, NC Medical Society
        2017 - Heather Wrenn, CAE, NC Chiropractic Association
        2016 - Brent Hazelett, MPA, CAE, NC Academy of Family Physicians
        2015 - No award given
        2014 - Lisa Ward, NC Dental Society
        2013 - Kristen L. Feneley, MPA, CAE, NC Nurses Association
        2012 - Anne Shoemaker, IOM, NC Association of REALTORS®.
        2011 - Ginny Fountain, CMP, PHR, N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives
        2009 - Diane Weems, AENC
        2008 - Joan Elliott, Southern Building Material Association
        2007 - Penny R. Cummings, N.C. Association of County Commissioners
        2006 - Mary K. Doherty, Carolinas Center for Hospice & End of Life Care
        2005 - David N. Simpson, CAE, Carolinas AGC, Inc.
        2004 - Sharon H. Bryson, M.Ed., N.C. Association of CPAs
        2003 - James A. Rouse, III, N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives
        2001 - Irma R. Ceglia, N.C. Academy of Family Physicians
        2000 - Joseph P. Logan, CAE, American Home Furnishings Alliance
        1996 - Jo Ellen Mitchell, AIA North Carolina
        1994 - Sindy Barker, N.C. Nurses Association
        1993 - Barbara A. Tilton, CMP, N.C. Association of CPAs
        1992 - Stephen Morrisette, CAE, N.C. Hospital Association
        1991 - Fran E. Preston, N.C. Retail Merchants Association
        1990 - Willie Feather, N.C. Petroleum Marketers Association
        1989 - W. Alan Skipper, CMP, N.C. Medical Society
        1988 - Randall D. Lisk, Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas & Tennessee
        1987 - Betty M.Tysinger, Tysinger's Management Services 

Bob Slocum Award (Outstanding Government Affairs and Advocacy)

        2022 - Betsy Bailey, CAE, Carolinas AGC
        2021 - Jon Carr, Jordan Price Wall Gray Jones & Carlton
        2020 - Anne Darconte, HillStaffer
        2019 - Joseph Stewart, Independent Insurance Agents of NC
        2018 - Tim Kent, CAE, NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association
        2017 - Alan Skipper, CAE, CMP, NC Medical Society
        2016 - James (Jim) T. Ahler, CAE, NC Association of Certified Public Accountants

AENC Young Professionals – FUEL Award (Outstanding AENC Young Professionals – FUEL participant)

        2022 - Amanda Davis, CMP, Blue Sky eLearn
        2021 - Forrest Howard, The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel
        2020 - Brandi Gerew, CAE, CMP, Capitol Hill Management Services
        2019 - Najauna White, Discover Durham
        2018 - Meredith Houston, PHR, IOM, CAE, American Council of Engineering Companies of NC
        2017 - 2 winners: Melissa B. Fallis, Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront 
                    & Tiffani Sheppard, Pinehurst Resort

 *NEW* President’s Award (Outstanding AENC member or nonmember)
This award is given by the current AENC President at the annual meeting to any person they chose, President’s choice completely. The winner will not be notified so it will be a surprise. (Staff will navigate on telling coworkers of recipient so they know to attend but still keep it a secret.)

2022 - 2 winners: Madi McDougald & Julie Keith, Association Executives of NC
2021 - Kathryn Atkinson, CMP, NC Academy of Family Physicians
2020 - Erika and Josh Burfield, EZAV
2019 - Meredith Houston, PHR, IOM, CAE, American Council of Engineering Companies of NC